New wholesale food commissary application

This is for any commercial kitchen or kitchen space that offers their facilities to other retailers to use as their kitchens.

Apply online

Step 1.Before you apply 

Read the ordinance for this license under "Municipal Code" on the right side of the page to make sure this license is right for you.

Step 2.Zone use permit

This license requires a zoning use permit.

A zoning use permit grants the applicant/owner of a lot, building, or structure permission for the requested use of the land. "Use" can be any activity, occupation, business, or operation in a building or on a lot/tract of land.

If you currently do not have a zone use permit, you may apply instead with a Acknowledgement of Zone Use Permit(PDF, 87KB). This will allow you to begin your application while you secure a proper zone use permit. Your license will not issue until a proper zone use permit has submitted. Applications that fail to provide a zone use permit will not issue or be eligible for a refund.

  1. Before contacting Zoning, email CPD Records to ask if there's an existing zoning use permit for your address. Allow up to 10 business days for a response to your inquiry.
  2. If they respond that there isn't a zoning use permit for your address, then email Zoning to apply for a permit. They will tell you if you're zoned for the use. Allow up to 10 business days for a response to your inquiry.

Email

cpd.permitrecords@denvergov.org

zoning.review@denvergov.org

Step 3.Watch the online training videos 

Online training videos provide helpful and detailed overviews of the application process. They are on the Online Training Videos webpage. They show how to register for an account, how to complete licensed establishment and entity registration records, and how to apply for new business licenses or amendments.

Step 4.Register for a new account 

Register for an account, if you haven't already, in Denver’s Permitting and Licensing Center. For help, navigate to the online training videos and watch the guide for how to register for a new account.

Step 5.Gather all required documents

Make sure you have everything from the "Required documents" section below.

Important notes to keep in mind about your documents:

  • All materials must be digital files saved as a .pdf or .jpg. Do not include any other file types. The Department of Excise and Licenses cannot accept other file types.
  • Use numbers or letters but not characters such as symbols (/ ? < > \ : * | “ ^) or spaces that could cause complications.
    • For example:
      • Good filename: drivers-license-name-2022.pdf
      • Bad filename: last name/ id.pdf
  • In some cases, you might need to combine documents and upload them in a single .pdf. You can use a free, online tool to merge documents into a single file. 
  • Legal documents must be signed, dated and executed. All pages of large legal documents (such as a lease) must be included in the application.
  • All materials must be legible. 
  • Incomplete applications will be rejected.

Step 6.Apply in Denver's Online Permitting and Licensing Center 

In Denver's Online Permitting and Licensing Center:

  • Under Business/Occupational, Short-Term and Residential Rental Licensing, click "Apply New."
  • Select the type of license you want to get and click "Continue Application."
    • Application package contains the following licenses: Child care center, residential rental property, retail tobacco store, massage business, marijuana licenses, retail food, retail food-commissary based, wholesale food and wholesale food-commissary based.
  • Read the introduction page and click "Continue."

This will begin the application process.

You can save and resume within 30 days any time during the process. After 30 days, you must start again.

Go to the Online Training Videos webpage to guide you.

After the online application is complete, you will be prompted to submit fees in the online portal. These can be paid with a bank account or a Visa, Mastercard, or Discover card.

Step 7.Pay required fees 

Application fee: 
$150 (This fee is not applicable for licensees transferring their license online during their renewal process.)

License fee:

$150

If you are applying as a nonprofit and want to request a fee waiver:

Step 8.City application review and next steps

Excise and Licenses tries to conduct an initial review of a complete application within seven business days. The review process might take longer if it is incomplete or requires police review (if applicable).

  • All application-related communications will be sent through email, from EXLNotifications@denvergov.org. Do not respond to these emails as this inbox is not monitored.
  • If the application is incomplete, the applicant will receive a "notice of deficiency" email. This allows 14 days for corrections. License endorsement requests and incidents on a background check need police review.
  • All applications will be closed if they are not completed within 12 months.

Step 9.Required inspections

An inspection notice will be emailed after the review is complete. Inspections required for this license, listed by department, are below under "Required inspections."

Step 10.License issuance

Once approved, the applicant is emailed a copy of the business license. This allows the license holder to start operating.

The licensee should read "Once you have your license" below and follow the requirements.

During the process, a package will be assembled from the following three applications.

A licensed establishment application

This captures information about the location where the wholesale food license will be operated. You will need to provide:

  • A valid Denver address.
  • A zoning use permit issued at the address of your licensed establishment that demonstrates the following uses:
    • The name of the business on the zoning use permit does not have to match the license holder name. 
  • Details for one to three on-site managers, including their name, date of birth, home address and contact information. On-site managers are individual(s) designated who have the authority to make decisions regarding the licensed establishment. They must have access to and control over the licensed establishment at all times.

Entity registration application

This application captures ownership information about the person or entity that will hold the license. You must provide:

  • Your entity type.
  • True name of the entity or person who will hold the license.
  • List of any trade names under which the entity operates.
  • Details about any individual who owns 10% or more of the entity, including their name, date of birth, home address, and contact information.
  • At least one owner will be asked to upload a copy of a valid state or federally issued ID.
  • Corporations, LLCs, and partnerships will be asked to upload a copy of their organizational documents, such as bylaws, an operating agreement, a partnership agreement, articles of incorporation, certificate of good standing, etc., as applicable.

Any entity or person that will hold multiple licenses in Denver will only have to complete this application once. If the same entity owns multiple locations and will apply for multiple licenses, you should re-use the entity registration number provided to you after your initial application.

A wholesale food commissary license application

This application verifies you are eligible to obtain a wholesale food license and reviews the rules and laws you must abide by.

  • Denver sales tax license(PDF, 185KB) (if you answer yes to this question on the application, you will need to provide a copy of this license).
  • Current Denver business license (if you answer yes to this question on the application, you will need to provide a copy of your current business license. This is for licensees that are transferring their current business license online during their renewal process).

If applicant is applying as a non-profit, the following documents are required to request non-profit fee waivers:

  • A letter addressed to the Department of Excise and Licenses that contains the following:
    • request of fee waiver
    • name of non-profit
    • explanation of vision/how does the community benefit from this non-profit
    • must be on letter head
    • dated
    • signature
  • The second required document is the 501(C)3 letter from the IRS listing the non-profit's name
  • Development Services (720) 913-1311
  • Denver Fire Department (720) 913-3409
  • Department of Public Health and Environment (720) 913-1311
  • Zoning business license inspection (720) 913-1311

License must be displayed

Excise and Licenses will email a professional license to all licensees. This license (or a clear picture of it) must always be displayed.

Requirement to keep contact information up to date

File an online amendment application to notify the Department of any contact information changes (place of business, onsite manager, etc.). These updates must be filed within 72 hours of the change. 

Requirement to renew annually

Professional licenses expire annually. It is unlawful to operate with an expired license. Renewal applications must be filed online before a license expires.

To update your contact information, please go to our entity registration webpage to find out how to submit those applications.

To update your on-site manager go to our licensed establishment webpage to find out how to submit those applications.

Appointments

Municipal Code

Denver Revised Municipal Code

Definition 23-2

Requirements 23-40

Fees 32-75

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